Repeating Islands

A traditional paint, flour and egg fight got the festival started, the BBC reports, as hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets of west London as the Notting Hill Carnival gets under way. Dancers in colourful costumes began parading along the three-and-a-half-mile route at 0900 BST.

Floats and dancers are partying to music from more than 40 independent sound systems.

The carnival, Europe’s biggest street festival, is the climax of months of preparation.

The event began with the customary paint, flour and egg fight.

Chris Boothman, director of London Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, said: “This weekend is the highlight of the year for not only the Caribbean community, but also for the many visitors from London and the rest of the country.

“We have already had some fantastic events including the costume shows and the calypso shows, which showcased some of the best talent in its area.

The carnival began in 1966 and is held every August Bank Holiday.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “This weekend London will be filled with visitors from across the world eager to have some fun at the ultimate free street party.

“Our legendary Notting Hill Carnival highlights the richness of Caribbean culture and is the perfect summer celebration.

“As a former Ladbroke Grove resident, I feel a particular affinity to the pulsating steel pans and colourful floats as simply nothing rivals the spirit and energy of carnival.”

The policing operation is costing more than £6m.

Police arrested 101 people in a crackdown on troublemakers ahead of the Notting Hill Carnival.

‘All going swimmingly’

Raids which took place throughout August led to several weapons being seized, including knives and firearms.

Officers from Operation Razorback also confiscated £64,000 in cash, along with drugs including crack cocaine and cannabis.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Obviously it’s very early days.

“But it’s all going swimmingly at the moment.”

Matt Taylor, from the BBC weather centre, warned of rain later in the day.

He said: “There is a high likelihood of some afternoon downpours, before brighter skies return late in the afternoon.

“It will be quite windy and pretty cool with the showers as well.”

For the original report go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11124464